Mental Health Awareness Month: Camden’s Story Reminds Us Why It Matters
May is Mental Health Awareness Month—a time to elevate the conversation around emotional well-being and shine a light on the growing mental health needs of our children and families. At Child Guidance Resource Centers (CGRC), this month is more than a campaign. It’s a call to action—because every day, we see how early intervention and compassionate care can transform a child’s life.
Take Camden, for example.
At just six years old, Camden was struggling in the classroom. His teachers noticed disruptive behaviors—outbursts, difficulty staying focused, and emotional breakdowns that disrupted her learning and left her feeling defeated. What Camden was experiencing wasn’t defiance—it was emotional dysregulation, a condition where a child has difficulty managing and responding to emotions in ways that are appropriate to the situation.
Her school referred her to CGRC’s Extended Elementary School (EES), a therapeutic program designed to support children with emotional and behavioral needs in a structured, nurturing environment.
Helping Children with Emotional Dysregulation Thrive in School
At EES, Camden received the individualized support she needed. Her Positive Behavior Support Plan (PBSP) included tools like scheduled breaks, movement activities, breathing exercises, and daily check-ins to help her regulate her emotions and feel safe in the school environment. Slowly but surely, Camden began to build the emotional resilience and coping strategies needed to manage her feelings and succeed academically.
After two years of consistent, trauma-informed support, Camden successfully transitioned back to her home school district—a true testament to her growth and to the dedication of the CGRC team.
Stories like Camden’s are the reason Mental Health Awareness Month matters.
Mental health is not separate from our everyday lives—it is deeply shaped by the environments we live in. Factors like housing stability, access to food, quality education, and exposure to community violence—known as the Social Determinants of Health—all influence a child’s emotional well-being. Families facing poverty or systemic barriers often experience higher rates of emotional and behavioral distress.
That’s why CGRC is committed to providing compassionate, culturally responsive care that meets families where they are—empowering them not just to survive, but to thrive.
As we recognize Mental Health Awareness Month we are reminded that early intervention works. With the right support, children like Camden can overcome early challenges and find hope, confidence, and stability. During Mental Health Awareness Month, advocate for holistic behavioral health services that empower children and families. Your support of school-based mental health programs ensures every child has access to early, equitable care. This Mental Health Awareness Month, we invite you to:
Learn more about the mental health needs of children and families.
Advocate for policies that ensure early, equitable access to care.
Donate to organizations like CGRC that are on the frontlines of this critical work.
Your support ensures that no child’s future is determined by their zip code or their struggles. Together, we can build stronger families and healthier communities—one child at a time.
Thank you for visiting, www.cgrc.org. We invite you to learn more, get involved, or make a difference today.